Chaser incident APEC Australia 2007

fake security passes used comedians.

on 6 september 2007, eleven cast , crew of australian satirical tv comedy series, chaser s war on including executive producer julian morrow , chas licciardello, detained police outside intercontinental hotel after driving fake motorcade through sydney central business district , breaching apec security zone.

the group breached secure area masquerading motorcade of canadian delegation apec. police realised motorcade hoax when chas licciardello, dressed osama bin laden, stepped out of official-looking car replete canadian flag flying bonnet, outside hotel, u.s. president george w. bush staying. subsequently detained @ surry hills police station questioning, , charged entering restricted zone without justification under apec meeting (police powers) act 2007.

licciardello, morrow , 9 other members of production team released on bail, appear in court on 4 october 2007. incident led criticisms of event s security, , security of apec restricted areas. forged accreditation contained printed phrase s pretty obvious isn t real pass above photograph , joke next it. on 28 april 2008 charges against eleven members dropped new south wales director of public prosecutions (dpp) considered police gave tacit permission group enter restricted zone failing identify fake security badges.

the following day, more members of chaser team (except morrow , licciardello required police stay away apec security areas) conducted further stunt, time dressing line of black limousines made cardboard. police detained , questioned them but, outside exclusion zone, no arrests made.